Good weather forecast today (made a change!) so it’s off on the train to London.

Yet again, we started from Battersea Park station and walked through the streets to Battersea Park, where Rocco was glad to be off the lead:

We soon reached the river and our continuation of the Thames Path:

By then, it was time for a coffee in the park:

Then the Peace Pagoda and a nice walk along the embankment to Albert Bridge:

Further west, there are many houseboats on the river:

And a nice church, making a change from the modern architecture:

Then under Battersea Railway Bridge, used by the Overground line from Clapham Junction to Willesden:

We then had our first major diversion away from the river viewing the delights of London Heliport:

But we were soon back by the river:

It seemed a shame not to stop at a riverside pub, “The Waterfront”:

Next was Wandsworth Bridge and Nickols Walk:

and time to stop for lunch:

A bridge crosses the River Wandle where it meets The Thames:

Then yet more houseboats:

and finally, some grass in Wandsworth Park:

We stopped for another beer at “The Boathouse”:

and then is was back to the hustle and bustle of Putney High Street – this reminded us how quiet most of the walk had been:

We caught a train to Waterloo, and unusually, arrived in the “international” platforms that were used by Eurostar before the move to St Pancras:

Finally, a fast train home. A lovely day out!

Another day out; this time with my Toby and my brother. We caught a fast train from Orpington to London Bridge:

Then a fast Thameslink train to Coulsdon South, and after a short walk through the streets, started climbing up Farthing Downs:

This is yet another City of London owned space, and the dogs were glad to be finally off the lead (note Rocco in the distance!):

We then descended into woodland heading for Happy Valley:

There was a profusion of Yellow Rattle in the fields:

Coulsdon Common has a neat water fountain with integrated dog bowls below:

We then had a bit of road walking and a grotty path climing up towards Kenley and the Observatory:

Not far on was Kenley Airfield:

We then walked across Kenley Common down into Whyteleafe:

Having failed to find a suitable bench on Kenley Common, we had lunch in Whyteleafe next to the Coal Post:

Then onto the train back to London Bridge and then to Orpington:

A nice 5 mile walk today.

I did most of this walk the other way around in 2016 – see the first part of  London Loop Walk 5, 6 & 7 – Whyteleafe to Ewell

A mixed weather forecast today, but we decided to head into London for a walk along the Thames.

Finding the correct exit from Waterloo Main Line station was a challenge, but we were soon in a office plaza heading to the Thames:

Then through Jubilee Gardens with a view of the London Eye:

The path by the London Eye, London Dungeons and Sea Life Aquarium is always heaving with tourists, so it was nice to walk under Westminster Bridge to a bit of (relative) peace and quiet:

It was now time for a coffee break:

Then along Albert Embankment towards Vauxhall:

There is a bit of a detour around MI6 Headquarters then back to the river along St Georges Wharf:

And before long, a second detour to busy Vauxhall, with its strange landscape:

However, we were soon back on the Thames along Elm Quay:

It was now time for a drink, and we found a quiet (and dog friendly, though we sat outside) pub:

Rocco got a bit bored though:

and was glad to get going again:

After yet another detour, we reached Battersea Power Station:

The old Coaling Jetty has been transformed into a nice spot for lunch:

We then walked under Battersea Bridge to Battersea Park, and Rocco could finally have a run around:

From there it was a short but busy walk to Battersea Park Station, then home via Victoria:

A nice day, and in the end, only a few spots of rain.

Not the greatest of weather today, but Rocco and I needed a walk so off we headed to Hampstead Heath. Delays on Thameslink caused an extended wait at Herne Hill (one of the draughtiest stations on the network) and an extra train change at St Pancras.

We eventually got to Kentish Town and headed off along a busy road:

But not far along was a nice little pedestrian “lane”:

and we soon reached Hampstead Heath:

with a nice view across London:

It was more pleasant in the woods out of the wind:

Then Kenwood House came into view:

Further on were a series of lakes and bridges:

Hampstead Heath station is a few hundred yards from the heath:

And a train soon appeared to take us home via West Hampstead and London Bridge:

An interesting day, albeit not very warm…